TIPPING THE SCALES IN OUR FAVOR
PIANISTS PRACTICE SCALES to get familiar with the notes and chords. We do the same every time we ride. In both cases, the most important result is...
... opening the pathways to reach the desired actions.
The end product is confidence and ease, and magic.
My pal Merlin is a true magician on a keyboard. He can play anything, in any style, on anything with keys. Last week, before a workout, he made my grandmother's old, salt-air-destroyed piano sound amazing.
Like a pro on an old and rusty bike schooling all the hotshots.
It's not the piano,
not the bike.
It's the player who has played the scales,
the rider who was logged the miles.
There is no substitute for time in the saddle when it comes to handling.
Leaning.
Sliding.
Sprinting.
Jumping.
Braking.
Dodging.
Just riding outside improves these skills.
Honing them requires specificity.
PRs and Podiums follow.
Yesterday, my son Trevor joined me on a ride. First time for him in years. He raced very successfully from 2013 to end of 2014.
Dad, would you consider this riding to be technical?
Yes, a lot of bones have been broken on this trail.
Are you surprised I'm keeping up?
Slightly, but I'm astonished at your ability to talk when we climb.
My heart rate is 189!
Ha ha ha!... mine's 152.
Give me a few months.
How, how, how could that punk be so fast downhill with zero riding and keep up climbing without wheezing?
He'd done his scales.
He still has the smoothest pedal stroke I've ever seen.
We can't purchase the pathways, but...
... we can earn them.
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Podcast:
Training:
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164
8 hrs Sleep
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
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